Effect of berberine on oxidative stress caused by Eimeria tenella in chicken

Abstract

After coccidia infect chickens, the cecum of chickens produces oxidative stress, which is aggravated by the propagation of coccidia. The disruption of the balance of oxidant/antioxidant system causes chickens to suffer from diseases. Berberine has been shown to prevent cecum epithelial barrier damage from coccidia by suppressing the reproduction of coccidia and restore the normal functions of chicks' cecum. In the current study, effect of berberine (BBR) on the oxidative damage caused by coccidiosis was investigated. Forty-eight three-week-old chicks treated in different ways. All livers, serum and caeca were collected and the degree of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activity were evaluated. The results showed that the increase in contents of free radicals in serum and cecum caused by Eimeria tenella were eliminated after daily treatment with berberine. Furthermore, level of lipid peroxidation was decreased, and superoxide dismutase activities were increased in the experimental groups treated by berberine compared to the infected birds. RT-PCR assay showed that mRNA level of superoxide dismutase was not affected by berberine. Taken together, berberine alleviates oxidative stress by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase. However, it is independent of mRNA expression of superoxide dismutase.